City funded better bellville together campaign boosting jobs, investment opportunities

14 May 2023

This week, I conducted a site visit to Bellville to see the progress of better.bellville.together, the City-funded campaign that is being administered by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).

The place-making, economic development initiative utilises community assets, infrastructure and services to create safer, cleaner, and more attractive public spaces to promote the region’s well-being and investment opportunities. It was truly inspiring to join residents from the area for the clean-up and to see the change that is happening on the ground. This is exactly what I envision for our place-making plans: the involvement and input of Capetonians, businesses, and civic society organisations.

Since kicking off in February, better.bellville.together has seen the clean-up of more than 160kg of recyclable waste such as cardboard, paper and plastic. More than 330kg of compostable waste, such as food scraps, have been collected. Over 950 illegal posters and graffiti have been removed and almost 50 public benches have been repaired and painted.

Not only is this beautifying communities, but it has also led to the creation of much-needed jobs for people in the area while reducing the impact of valuable reusable waste on landfills. The project has also garnered support from local businesses.

It gives me great pleasure to share that upcoming programmes under the campaign will include landscaping on pavements and public art initiatives, such as murals, that will bring colourful new life into the community.

This campaign speaks to the value of the City’s partnership with the GTP which has a region-based focus and whose programmes are aimed at stimulating investment appeal while managing the aspirations of existing local businesses.

Cape Town is seeing an influx of developments and in Bellville, approved building works reached a value of R7,3 billion between 2010 and 2021. Our goal is to expand on such gains.

I encourage more residents and businesses in Bellville and surrounding communities to get involved in this important initiative.

If you or your organisation would like to be part of better.bellville.together, email the GTP at ceo@gtp.org.za or call +27 (0) 21 823 6713.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office